In Delhi, a gang led by a Nigerian approaches women online and defrauds them by pretending to have valuable gifts from abroad

• Image Credit: The 420.in

• Aug 26, 2022 | Kabir Chakraborty

The accused promised to bring her gifts after the two developed close friendships. A few days later, a call from a person posing as a customs officer was received by the woman.

Digital
Desk: A group that defrauded numerous ladies under
the pretence of sending them expensive presents from abroad has been nabbed by
the Delhi Police. Using fictitious identities, the gang initially made online
friends with women.

color:#0A0A0A">A 36-year-old Nigerian national has been detained by authorities
in connection with the fraud in the meantime. According to the police, the
Nigerian's friends would call ladies and demand that they pay customs fees in
order to receive expensive gifts that were being delivered from abroad.

color:#0A0A0A">Paul Ofori has been named as the suspect. He was taken into
custody in Nilothi Extension. Police claim to have located at least eight bank
accounts where the stolen funds were stored. According to a Times of India
article, authorities have also identified 20 female fraud victims.

color:#0A0A0A">On July 25, a woman reported to authorities that she had become
acquaintances with someone who identified himself as a doctor. This brought
attention to the deception.

color:#0A0A0A">The accused promised to bring her gifts after the two developed close
friendships. A few days later, a call from a person posing as a customs officer
was received by the woman.

color:#0A0A0A">The fictitious officer informed the woman that she was in
possession of some gifts and that in order to release them, she would need to
pay customs fees. The woman then paid Rs 25,000 to receive the
"gifts" after this.

The
complainant received a second contact asking her to make a further payment. She
then called the police after realising anything seemed off. Police discovered
during their investigation that the accused was utilising Nigerian IP
addresses.